SourcingAug 23, 2023
692-Carat Diamond Recovered From Karowe Mine SourcingSep 11, 2023
Greenland Ruby Has Shut Down Its Mine
The company said operations have been on hold since January because the mine wasn’t meeting production expectations.
This file photo shows a Greenland Ruby worker holding a piece of rough from the mine. The company’s Aappaluttoq ruby and pink sapphire mine has suspended operations, but it is exploring other sources, reports say.
New York—Greenland Ruby has suspended operations at its Aappaluttoq ruby and pink sapphire mine because it wasn’t producing enough gemstones.
GemGuide, which was first to report the news in the trade, published a story back in August quoting Greenland Ruby Chief Commercial Officer Hayley Henning, who said production at the site hadn’t been meeting expectations for the past year or so.
Michele Billam, the company’s chief sales and merchandising officer told JCK last week that mining operations had been suspended for care and maintenance since January.
Henning referred all questions about the reports to Greenland Ruby CEO Arnt Erick Rørnes, who did not respond to an email request for comment by deadline.
Greenland newspaper Sermitsiaq reported last month the mine had a debt of 509 million Danish kroner, which is about $73 million at current exchange rates.
The company has closed offices and let go of employees.
The mine laid off 30 workers at the beginning of the year and later let go of the remaining seven, according to Sermitsiaq.
In a 2017 National Jeweler interview with Henning, she said life of mine for Aappaluttoq was expected to be about nine years.
She also said exploration identified two other potential sites for ruby mining, but at that time, the company was “not really there yet” in terms of moving forward at the sites.
Billam told JCK that exploratory mining had begun at two sites for which the company holds licenses.
In addition to exploration, there is still rough material to be processed and ruby inventory is still stocked in Thailand, but “sales have been very low,” according to Billam.
Related stories will be right here …
GemGuide, which was first to report the news in the trade, published a story back in August quoting Greenland Ruby Chief Commercial Officer Hayley Henning, who said production at the site hadn’t been meeting expectations for the past year or so.
Michele Billam, the company’s chief sales and merchandising officer told JCK last week that mining operations had been suspended for care and maintenance since January.
Henning referred all questions about the reports to Greenland Ruby CEO Arnt Erick Rørnes, who did not respond to an email request for comment by deadline.
Greenland newspaper Sermitsiaq reported last month the mine had a debt of 509 million Danish kroner, which is about $73 million at current exchange rates.
The company has closed offices and let go of employees.
The mine laid off 30 workers at the beginning of the year and later let go of the remaining seven, according to Sermitsiaq.
In a 2017 National Jeweler interview with Henning, she said life of mine for Aappaluttoq was expected to be about nine years.
She also said exploration identified two other potential sites for ruby mining, but at that time, the company was “not really there yet” in terms of moving forward at the sites.
Billam told JCK that exploratory mining had begun at two sites for which the company holds licenses.
In addition to exploration, there is still rough material to be processed and ruby inventory is still stocked in Thailand, but “sales have been very low,” according to Billam.
Greenland Ruby had been producing rubies as well as pink sapphires at the Aappaluttoq ruby mining site in the southwest region of Greenland since 2017. It’s the country’s first corundum mine.
The area originally was being mined by True North Gems, but following its announcement of voluntary bankruptcy in September 2016, the mining license for the Aappaluttoq Ruby Mine was awarded to LNS Greenland, an investor in the project.
Greenland Ruby A/S, its sister company, was established in October 2016 to take over the exploration license and handle the promotion and sales of the mine’s output.
A 2019 GemGuide article by Stuart M. Robertson, GIA GG, said Greenland Ruby’s acquisition of the necessary permits to export and market gemstones allowed commercial quantities of these rubies and sapphires to enter the international gem trade.
He said a combination of the stones’ affordable price point, which started at below $100 per carat, along with their mine-to-market traceability, made Greenland rubies attractive to the market.
In January of this year, Greenland Ruby announced it had appointed Rørnes, who was previously working with parent company Leonhard Nislen & Sonner AS (LNS), as its new CEO.
He succeeded Magnus Kibsgaard.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
SurveysAug 21, 2026
These Are 2026’s Hottest Retailers, Says NRFThe retailers at the top of the list offer affordable products and fun, discovery-fueled experiences.
WatchesAug 21, 2026
Bremont Names Former Vacheron Constantin Exec CMODaniel Bing was formerly the marketing director for the Americas at Vacheron Constantin.
CollectionsAug 21, 2026
Bijules, Kamyen Serve Up ‘Topspin’ Tennis Bracelet Ahead of US OpenIn our Piece of the Week, the designers reimagine the tennis bracelet with green enamel wrapped around a strand of “Desert Diamonds.”
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
PodcastsAug 20, 2026
Episode 8: Diamond Industry Update With David Bonaparte & Ronnie VanderLindenThe industry veterans join the podcast to discuss diamond marketing, the FTC Jewelry Guides, and lobbying for lower tariffs.
Weekly QuizAug 20, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TechnologyAug 20, 2026
A New AI-Powered Gemstone Identification App Is HereFounder Vik Westermann said the app is a “starting point” to inspire people to work with appraisers and gem labs, not replace them.
AuctionsAug 20, 2026
Storied Unicorn Brooch Up for Auction Gallops to New Home The Verdura brooch, which belonged to the late Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, was sold to a private collector in Asia.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
Events & AwardsAug 20, 2026
MJSA Education Foundation Names 5 Scholarship WinnersThe five students were awarded a total of $10,000 through the nonprofit’s 2026 “Future of Jewelry Making” scholarship.
MajorsAug 20, 2026
Plumb Club Elects 2026-2027 BoardSteven Lerche is now beginning his term as the youngest member to become president of The Plumb Club’s elected executive committee.
MajorsAug 19, 2026
Mike Alexander To Succeed Scott Murphy as Jewelers Mutual CEO Murphy will retire at the end of the year and Alexander, currently the company’s president, will take over at the start of 2027.
Policies & IssuesAug 19, 2026
Spinelli Kilcollin Embraces Dupes With Trade-In ProgramThe jeweler is encouraging customers who own lookalike rings to come into the store and trade them for credit towards an authentic piece.
MajorsAug 19, 2026
Zales Wants You to Wear Fine Jewelry Every DayThe new campaign, “You Are The Occasion,” discourages shoppers from saving their fine jewelry for special occasions only.
CrimeAug 18, 2026
2 California Men Arrested in Fatal Vehicle Smash RobberyOne is the driver who allegedly crashed a car into a Sacramento jewelry store in April, striking a 71-year-old employee who later died.
ColumnistsAug 18, 2026
Peter Smith: The IKEA Effect and Bridal Branding In a new column, Peter Smith posits that people actually enjoy putting together IKEA furniture, and the same is true for engagement rings.
CrimeAug 18, 2026
Thieves Snatch $1M in Jewelry From New Jersey Jeweler9lakha Jewelers in Iselin, New Jersey, was the target of a smash-and-grab robbery on Aug. 8.
Lab-GrownAug 18, 2026
Ring Concierge, Kendall Jenner’s Tequila Brand Collab on GiveawayThe jeweler has partnered with 818 Tequila to gift lab-grown diamond studs to a bride-to-be and their bridal party.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
Exhibition on Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Studios to Open at The MetThe exhibition will feature more than 100 drawings of stained-glass lampshades, windows, and more, many created by women and émigrés.
CollectionsAug 17, 2026
Marquise Diamonds Dance in Spinelli Kilcollin’s ‘Wren’ CollectionMarquise-cut diamonds in drop charms are the center of the new collection, reflecting the movement of a dancer in modular styles.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
There’s a New Jewelry Show Coming to FloridaThe inaugural Fort Lauderdale Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show will be held from Jan. 28 through Feb. 1, 2027.
IndependentsAug 14, 2026
Smyth Jewelers to Open Fourth LocationThe family-owned jeweler will open a new showroom in Bel Air, Maryland, this fall.
CrimeAug 14, 2026
Wife of Man Convicted in Jeweler’s Murder Sentenced for Conspiracy Amanda Ileana Hernandez is married to Carlos Hernandez, one of two men in prison for the 2024 murder of Michigan jeweler Hussein Murray.
TrendsAug 14, 2026
Paul Morelli’s Latest ‘Wavey Vine’ Earrings Embrace ColorThe reimagined jewel, our Piece of the Week, trades the diamonds in the original 1998 design for blue, pink, yellow, and green sapphires.
Supplier BulletinAug 13, 2026
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
FinancialsAug 13, 2026
Pandora’s ‘Talisman’ Collection Shines, Lab-Grown Diamond Sales FallIn the United States, second-quarter sales were flat amid soft consumer sentiment and lower in-store traffic.
AuctionsAug 13, 2026
This Gold Cadbury ‘Conundrum’ Egg Set a World Auction RecordThe 22-karat gold egg, sold at Batemans Auctioneers in the U.K., was part of a 1980s treasure hunt ad campaign for Cadbury Creme Eggs.
CollectionsAug 13, 2026
John Hardy Infuses ‘Icon,’ ‘Heishi’ Collections with ColorThe expanded collections now feature hand-cut gemstones like topaz, tanzanite, chrysoprase, chalcedony, smoky quartz, and fire opal.
